Soldier injured during training exercise

An Israeli soldier of the armored corps was shot in the neck on Tuesday during a tank unit training exercise in the Galilee.

The soldier was evacuated to Poriya Hospital in Tiberias for medical treatment, where doctors said his condition was worsening.

Military Police have opened an investigation into the incident, and OC Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot ordered a commission to investigate the shooting. The soldiers use dummy cartridges during training, but at least one soldier mistakenly carried a real cartridge and injured his fellow comrade.

“This was an unnecessary accident that should not have happened,” an army officer said. “There are clear rules that are meant to ensure that dummy cartridges are dummy cartridges and not real bullets that can cause disasters.”

Reports that a soldier’s cartridge, which was meant to be empty, mistakenly contained live ammunition, were being investigated, the army said.

As a result of the incident, Israeli army Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi ordered an immediate end to ground forces training exercises in the area until full probing had taken place.

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